Edge binding



Dec. 12, 1939. 8 J. s. WILLIS 2,183,088

EDGE BINDING Filed March 3, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR J'YWKW ATTORN EY! J. S. WILLIS EDGE BINDING Filed March 3, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2F'y.2 Z Z? .57 6

Z9 .39 3/ 6/ 6d 5, I I 6 -3 30 4 l! 55' u r 47 6 '1 E I 44 BY J ZATTORNEY:

7 INVENTOR Dec. 12, 1939.

VIII/IA J. S. WILLIS EDGE BINDING Filed March 3, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet sINVENTOR ATTORNEY:

Patented Dec. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDGE BINDING JohnSherman Willis, Portsmouth, Ohio, assignor, by memo assignments, toMinnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporationof Delaware Application March 3, 1934, Serial No. 713,884

4 Claims. (CL 12-55) i This invention relates generally to improvementsin the art of binding the edges of sheet materiaLand is of particularimportance and of ready application in the shoe manufacturing industry.The improvements are concerned with the method of applying the binding,the attaching means used in the method and the machine for applying thefastening means and the edge of binding.

It has been the practice to finish the edges of certain parts of theshoe, such as the uppers,

' straps, etc., with so-called French cord binding.

In this procedure a ribbon or binding strip is placed flat against'theouter upper margin of the vamp and is stitched to the vamp by a line ofstitching closealong the edge of the upper and the adjacent edge of thebinding strip. The free portion of the binding strip is lapped over theedge of the vamp or upper, concealing the stitching, and is cemented tothe inner side of the vamp or quarter. This overlap or double thicknessof ribbon on the outer edge margin of the vamp forms a heading along theedge of the vamp which presents the appearance of a cord binding.

The materials used and the method of applying this binding have neverbeen perfected to the point where the operation has been entirely freeof improperly distributed cement and wherein the binding has beensecurely fastened in position without wrinkles. Heretofore the tape hasbeen applied marginally along the under surface of the binding stripbefore the binding strip is turned over the edge of the vamp, or thecement has been applied as a coating for a margin of the binding stripand covered with a removable strip, or else a protective striphas beenused inserted, between the binding strip and the vamp outer margin andextending beyond the binding for protecting the outer face of the vampfrom wet adhesive applied to the strip prior to overlapping thereof.

2 It is the object of the present invention to provide an improvedfastening means for the edge binding strip which is supplied as a tapeadhesively coated on both sides. This tape may be furnished in rolls forapplication to the vamp through machinery at the time of the overlappingof the binding strip and formation of the French cord binding.

It is another object-of this invention to provide an improved method ofapplying edge binding to sheet material such as shoe uppers or straps,

the same machinery and at the same time that the binding strip, isturned over and secured in position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved machinefor applying the tape of this 5 invention and for performing the stepsof this invention, which machine accurately lays the tape against theinner edge margin of the vamp, presses it firmly into adhesivelyfastened position, turns the binding strip, which has been stitched in10 position, over the edge of'the'v amp and against the adhesivelycoatedupper surface of the fastening tape, and exerts lateral force onthe binding strip for tautly drawing the same over the edge, whereby aneat uniform edge finish is provided 15 without wrinkles, whichinechanism also incorporates an intermittent feed for automaticallyprogressing the vamp for progressively binding the entire edge thereof.7

Other objects and further advantages will be 20 more fully apparent froma description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe machine for applying the adhesivetape and edge binding to the shoe upper.

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional view taken lengthwise of themachine and illustrating the working parts thereof.

Figure 3 is an end view partially fragmentary and partially sectional,illustrating the swinging anvil in the first phase of movement, and thepresser foot, carrying the tape feeding means, in retraction stroke. t

Figure 4 is a view taken similar to Figure 3, showing the swinging anvilin forward feed posi- 35 tion and about to return, the presser footdescending for engagement when the. anvil is fully retracted.

Figure 5' is a view taken similar to Figure 3, but illustrating theclaws of the swinging anvil coming into engagement with the work, withthe anvil at starting-position of feed.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6, Figure 2, illustratingthe cam device for :the swinging anvil.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken online 1- Figure 1, furtherillustrating the swinging anvil.

Figure 8 is a view taken on line 88, Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the 50 movements of themachine at the working point.

Figure 10. is a fragmentary side view of the machine at the presserfoot, showing the work in section and illustrating the edge bindingstrip as it is being folded into position.

Figure 11 is a sectional view showing the claw of the anvil in the firstphase of its movement.

Figure 12 is a view taken similar to Figure 11, showing the claw in thefully effective and final phase of its movement.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the horn, showing the work inposition and the guide or binding strip directing element of the horn inoperation.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an upper with its edge finished.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the adhesive strip of this invention.

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view of an edge of the work. prior to theoperation of folding the edge binding over the edge of the vamp.

.Figure 17 is a sectional view taken similar to Figure 16, but showingthe finished work.

Figure 18 is a view taken similar to Figures 3 to 5, but partly insection through the lifting finger for raising the presser foot.

The fastening tape of this invention is indicated at H] (see Figure 15).This tape is adhesively coated on both sides.

As shown in Figure 16, the upper or vamp II has the edge binding stripl2 stitched thereto along the upper margin. This strip is ofconsiderable width and is stitched close to its upper. edge as at l3 sothat it can be turned over the edge of the vamp in the process ofbinding the vamp edge. The tape 10 for attaching this binding strip isapplied along the inner margin of the vamp (see Figure 16), and thebinding strip is turned up and over the edge of the vamp and downagainst the inner face of the attaching strip (see Figure 1'7). The lineof stitching securely fastens a portion of the binding strip along theouter margin of the upper and when the strip has been turned over, asdescribed, a double thickness or overlap. providing a thickened edge,results. This suitably embellishes the vamp or upper and effectivelybinds the edge thereof.

In the method of binding the upper edge of the vamp, the adhesivelycoated tape 10 is fed to the inner upper edge margin of the vamp justprior to the rolling over or turning of the binding strip, and as thebinding strip is turned over and lapped against the inner face of theadhesively coated strip, sufficient lateral force is placed thereon fordrawing the strip tautly around the edge and sufficient face pressure isapplied for securely fixing it against the adhesive coated inner face ofthe tape.

Through this method, the edge of the vamp is neatly bound. The adhesivecoating is carried on both sides of the tape and is not applied to thevamp or edge binding ribbon or strip. This prevents improper and unevenapplication of the adhesive.

Generally described, in the mechanism disclosed for carrying out themethod, the adhesive tape I0 is fed from a spool (not shown) through aguide l5 mounted on a presser foot l6 and is engaged by means of thepresser foot l6 against the inner marginal face of the vamp II. Themachine incorporates a guide 11 for turning and positioning the bindingstrip 12 as the vamp edge is moved past the presser foot.

Feeding of the vamp is accomplished by means of an anvil and clawmechanism l8which stretches the binding strip over the edge of the vampand engages it smoothly against the inner surface of the adhesive tape,and in the final phase of its movement grips the vamp edge and advancesthe upper beneath the mechanism in successive feeding impulses.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the adhesive coatedstrip 10 of this invention is automatically fed to the upper or vamp andthe binding strip turned down over the same by means of a machinesomewhat similar to a sewing machine but not employing any sort ofstitching or sewing mechanism. The machine, as disclosed, incorporates aframe or casing structure 20 providing a work receiving throat 2|. Theextended portions of the frame structure in the case of the upper may bereferred to as the head 22, and the lower as the table 23.

A power shaft 24 is mounted horizontally in the head portion. The rearexternal end of this shaft carries a rotating means 25 including a handwheel 26 and a pulley 21 engaged by a belt 28.

The forward end of the power shaft within the head incorporates a crankarm or eccentric 29. Adjacent this crank arm or eccentric the shaft issupported in a lug 30 of the frame. The crank arm has its outer endconnected to an arm of a bell crank lever 3|, by meansof a link 32.

The other arm of the bell crank lever is fiexibly connected to the upperend of the vertically reciprocable swinging anvil and claw device 18 bymeans of a second link 33. This device I8 mounted on a verticallydisposed slide rod 34 is journalled in vertically spaced lugs 35 of theswinging anvil [8. The swinging anvil is of U-shape, its throatregistering with the throat of the machine. The anvil is fulcrumed onboth arms, on aligned pivots. The upper pivot comprises a stud 36screwed into the frame in vertical position and incorporating a head forsupporting the anvil. The lower arm of the anvil incorporates an uprighttapered stud 31 fitting upwardly into a tapered hole of the journalplate 38 fixed in the table.

The actuating connection for the swinging anvil, as shown in Figures -2and 6, consists of an eccentric 39 on the power shaft, the eccentricdisposed in a crank arm 40 and the crank arm slidably mounted on a pin4| extended vertically upwardly from the extreme rear end of the anvil.

Through this eccentric movement, the anvil is swung or oscillated at itsforward end. The lower arm of the ,anvil carries a contact plate" at itsouter end mounted on an attaching element 43 which is extended from thearm of the swinging anvil. The upper surface of this plate 42 is flushwith the surface of the table 23. The contact plate of the anvil isdisposed in a slot 44 formed transversely of the table and lengthwise ofthe path of movement of the vamp as it is fed across the table.

A gripping arm 45 is mounted on the anvil being pivoted to the attachingelement 43. This arm is curved, having its lower inner end pivoted on apin 46 fixed transversely of a slot in the attaching block, and itsupper end disposed substantially horizontally above the contact block.The under side of the arm adjacent the plate 42 is serrated forming aclaw.

An auxiliary element or smoothing finger or claw 41 is pivotally engagedon a pin 48 fixed in the side of the main arm and has an engagingsurface which is also serrated for contact with the edge binding stripor ribbon. Normally this smoothing finger 41 is held in position forcontact in advance of the serrated end surface of the arm, this beingdone by means of a spring 49 coiled about the pivot pin 48 and havingone lend engaged in a lug 58 of the arm and the other end engaging thetop of the finger. Downward, movement of this claw is limited by meansof a pin fixed in the arm.

As shown in Figures 11 and '12, this finger 41 engages the binding stripin turned over position prior to engagement by the arm and as downwardmovement of the arm progresses through mechanism hereinafter described,the finger swings on its pivot and ultimately full contact of the arm ismade.- The edge of the vamp with the binding strip turned over andfirmly fixed in position on the adhesive coated strip is thenfirmlygripped between the contact plate 42 of the anvil and the grippingdevice as represented by the finger or claw 41, arm 45 and contact plate42. At this time the eccentric acts to, swing'the anvil and a feedingimpulse results moving the vamp in a forward direction a predetermineddistance.

The edge binding strip or ribbon I2 is initially positioned by means ofthe guide H (see Figure 13) fixed on the table, so that as the vamp edgepasses between the elements of the gripping device it is lapped towardposition for attachment.

The tape 8 is fed to the vamp through the guide channel I5 which ispivotally supported on a stud 52 journalled in the lower end of thepresser foot It. A lever 53 is screwed on the end of the pivot studagainst the side of the presser foot for manipulating the guide channelduring initial tape starting operations for feeding the tape beneath thepresser foot and onto the inner margin of the vamp.

The presser foot also carries a yieldable guide 54 which is in the formof a spring steel strip fastened at its upper end against the side ofthe presser foot and extending below the presser foot where it forms ayieldable abutment engaged by the edge of the vamp inserted beneath thepresser foot.

The presser foot element is adjustably fixed, by I means of a set screw55, on the end of a vertically reciprocably mounted rod 55 joumalled inlugs 51, 51, of the machine frame. The upper end of the rod 55 isslidably telescopically supported in a bushing 58 which isscrew-threaded into the upper lug 51. The rod 56 has a lug 59 fastenedto it intermediate of the lugs 51, 58. This lug 59 forms the pivotalsupport for the bell crank lever 3|. The pivot stub shaft 68 supportingthe lever 3| is screwed into the lug. A coil spring 6| under compressionis mounted between the lug 59 and the bushing 58.

A presser foot lifting lever 18 is provided (see Figure 18). This leveris pivoted in the head 22 of the machine through a slot 1|. A lug 12extends from the pivoted portion of the lever and provides an abutmentsurface 13 adapted to engage the under side of the lug 59 when the lever18 is swung upwardly as shown in Figure 18. Normally the coil spring 6|acting against .hesive of any sort is applied to the upper,

connection to the link 33, thereby raising th lug 59 and rod 56. Thespring 6| is compressed at this time and acts to lower the presser footwhen the bell crank lever is swung in a reverse direction. Presser footlifting movement takes place during the time when the anvil is beingactuated to feed the vamp in order that the presser foot will notinterfere with the feed.

The arm 45 of the gripping mechanism on the anvil is raised and loweredby swinging movement of the bell crank lever 3| on its pivot 68 with thelug 59 stationary as maintained by spring urged contact of the presser'foot with the table. Raising and lowering movement of the presser footoccurs when downward movement of the arm 45 is definitely stopped byabutment with the table and the bell crank lever rocks on the outer endof -its lower arm.

The operation of the machine in performing the method of applying theedge binding is as follows: The' vamp or upper as presented to themachine has the edge binding or ribbon strip stitched thereto as shownin Figure 16. No ad- The vamp margin, as shown in Figure 10, is insertedbeneath the presser foot against the yieldable guide 54. The loose endof the binding strip is slipped under the yieldable guide and upwardlybetween the yieldable guide and the guide l1, the guide I1 directing thestrip around the edge of the upper in the initial phase of overlappingthe same.

The adhesively coated tape I8 is fed through the guide I5, passes underthe presser foot, and is attached to the vamp margin longitudinally Ithereof. The presser foot acts to press the adhesive coated undersurface of the tape firmly against the vamp, prior to engagement of thebinding strip on the tape.

The swinging anvil mechanism including the stretching arm and finger orclaw is active on the binding strip or ribbon as it is directed orturned over by the guide l1. As shown in Figure 11, the finger or clawinitially engages the strip and is active transversely thereof andacross the vamp' edge for stretching the ribbon tautly over the edge. Asthe arm is brought into full contact with the strip, the vamp edge withthe edge binding rigidly fixed in place is firmly gripped between thecontact plate and the arm of the anvil mechanism. At this time theeccentric 39 is effective for swinging the anvil and the vamp is fed thelength of the slot in which the contact plate moves. As has beendescribed, the presser foot is elevated when the gripping arm comes intofull contact so that as the anvil is swung the presser foot pressure isrelieved.

The strip l8 carries all the adhesive necessary for the operation offastening the binding strip since the adhesive is on both sides thereof.Application of adhesive is thus confined to the strip and it is fed intothe machine in commercial form, it being unnecessary to apply cement oradhesive of any sortan'd a tedious and untidy operation is eliminated.

Since the edge binding is stitched close to its upper edge, theoverlapping on the inner side of the vamp producesa double thicknessalong the outer edge of the vamp and the result is an artistic beadingor French cord binding.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In an edge binding machine, a table, a swinging anvil, claw mechanismcomprising gripping elements on the anvil, a presser foot, a tapefeeding guide for delivering tape under the presser foot and against theupper mar nal edge of sheet material inserted under the presser foot,and a guide on the table for directing an edge binding strip secured onthe under face of the sheet material into position of overlap on top ofthe tape, said anvil and claw mechanism cooperating to press the bindingstrip against the tape and feed the sheet material, and means forelevating said presser foot when said anvil and claw mechanism come intofull contact.

2. In a machine of the class described for securing a binding strip overthe edge and along the margin of sheet material, a table for supportingthe sheet material, a tape feeding mechanism disposed over the edge ofthe sheet material and adapted to lay the tape along the upper edgemargin of the sheet material, a swinging anvil moving parallel to theedge of the sheet material for feeding the same, a gripping arm on saidanvil for gripping the edge of the sheet material, and a smoothing clawengaging the binding strip, whereby the binding strip is engaged uponthe tape.

3. In a machine of the class described, a table for marginallysupporting sheet material, an anvil mounted in the table, a gripping armcarried by the anvil, and operating means therefor extended over theanvil, whereby the edge of the sheet material may be inserted on thetable between the anvil and the arm, means for imparting reciprocatingmotion to said anvil for intermittently feeding and progressing thesheet material, a presser foot vertically reciprocably mounted forengaging the margin of the sheet material, means for reciprocating saidpresser foot, and means, located above the anvil, for feeding tape ontothe margin of said sheet material.

4. In a machine of the class described, a table for marginallysupporting sheet material, an anvil mounted in the table, a gripping armcarried by the anvil, means for operating said gripping arm anddirecting the same downwardly and laterally towards the table, means forimparting reciprocating movement to said anvil for intermittentlyfeeding and progressing the sheet material, and a presser foot forengaging the margin of said sheet, and means for reciprocating saidpresser foot to alternately release the sheet material and hold thesheet material during the released movement of the gripping arm.

JOHN SHERMAN WILLIS.

